Rockhurst Claims First-Ever KC Crown Trophy

Rockhurst University and William Jewell College already competed head-to-head in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference. But this year, there was something else on the line for these two local institutions — bragging rights.

In September, the two cross-town rivals announced the start of a new tradition, the KC Crown, a yearlong competition in which the school with the best record in head-to-head competition across all sports would take home the KC Crown trophy. On Tuesday, representatives from both institutions, 810 Sports Radio, and Mammoth Sports Construction were all on Rockhurst’s campus for the inaugural trophy presentation.

“The KC Crown has been won,” said Todd Leabo, host of 810 Sports Radio, shortly before the trophy was awarded to Rockhurst Director of Athletics Kristy Bayer and a group of student-athletes.

Louis Keiner, a sophomore tennis player, said the competition added a special dynamic to every meeting with opponents from William Jewell.

“Every semester, it’s always fun to play these guys,” he said.

Though Rockhurst claimed the trophy this year (and the rights to brandish the accompanying pro-wrestling style championship belt), Bayer said both sides deserve credit for coming together to create a new tradition.

“One thing that I’m extremely proud of is it’s been a collective, team effort,” she said. “We have all these student-athletes behind us who all — fall, winter, spring — all gave it their all to win this trophy. I love that it’s become such a great tradition between us and Jewell.”

Bayer also said she hopes the competition highlights more than the effort student-athletes give on the field.

“I also do want to commend these student-athletes here at Rockhurst for what they also do in the classroom and the community,” she said.